Nav Unit Will Not Dim

[davis226]

I am unable to get my NAV unit to automatically dim at night on my 2007 Suburban. I have taken it to the dealer and they told me it was proper operation!!?? However, as I explained to them, you can go the Contrast/Display options screen and manually place it in NIGHT mode and it dims fine, it just does not work in AUTOMATIC mode. I even showed the tech the page in the manual where it describes how it should work, and while he agreed that my explanation made sense, there was basically nothing they could do about it (GM had no technotes on the problem, my radio was up to newest code)

 

Can someone verify for me that the LCD is suppose to DIM at night when the lights come on and dimming option is set to AUTOMATIC?

 

Thanks.

[stefman722]

Is this the factory NAV unit?

[papastoy]

If you have the factory NAV unit, it does indeed dim at night. The dimming is controlled by the sunlight sensor on top of the dash. At least it is in my Buick NAV unit. Thats the small round black/bronze colored dome shaped piece.

[davis226]

Thanks for the replies....

 

stefman722......yes, this is the factory NAV unit

 

papastoy......the ambient light sensor does appear to be working correctly. That's how they were testing it at the dealer today. The tech would put a shoplight up on the sensor to make the lights turn off while in the shop.

 

Since the Contrast tab has three settings: Automatic, Day, and Night.....I would assume Automatic would be all I need to leave it on. If I manaully set it to NIGHT, it dims perfectly and wierd thing is, when I set it to AUTOMATIC mode, it's actually brighter that when manually set it to DAY.

 

I had my friends try it in their cars tonight (one with a 2009 Acadia, and one with a 2008 Suburban)....both said the LCD's would dim when the lights came on. However the dealer told me earlier today I could only compare my problem to another 2007 model....sounds like BS....

[Stex]

Is that the only dealer around?

[Spydertech]

Thanks for the replies....

 

stefman722......yes, this is the factory NAV unit

 

papastoy......the ambient light sensor does appear to be working correctly. That's how they were testing it at the dealer today. The tech would put a shoplight up on the sensor to make the lights turn off while in the shop.

 

Since the Contrast tab has three settings: Automatic, Day, and Night.....I would assume Automatic would be all I need to leave it on. If I manaully set it to NIGHT, it dims perfectly and wierd thing is, when I set it to AUTOMATIC mode, it's actually brighter that when manually set it to DAY.

 

I had my friends try it in their cars tonight (one with a 2009 Acadia, and one with a 2008 Suburban)....both said the LCD's would dim when the lights came on. However the dealer told me earlier today I could only compare my problem to another 2007 model....sounds like BS....

 

It is "absolute BS"! In the "automatic" setting your NAV should change to night mode when the sensor determines it is time for headlights. It should not be your responsibilty to compare it to any other cars. If you are still under warranty, the dealership needs to fix the problem. Call the GM customer concern line.

 

I may be new to the forum (Just bought a 2010 GM Sierra this week), but I've worked in auto dealerships for the past 22 years. This is not how GM wants their dealerships to treat their customers. From what you have described, they just don't want to mess with it.

 

Spydertech

[AvalancheZ71]

In Automatic Mode the nav screen brightness is controlled by the instrument panel dimmer switch. Dim the gauges and the screen will dim too.

[davis226]

Thanks for all the responses. I would have tried another dealer, but I am already in for a $100 on my extended warranty deductible. Anyway, the dealer had agreed to try and replace the head unit.....so I will update the thread with the results.

 

Here a video posted by another from the z71tahoe-suburban forums of how it's behaving:

 

http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n167/fi...nt=DSCF5241.flv

 

This is what the NAV manual states each button does:

 

Auto (Automatic): Touch this screen button for the system to automatically adjust the screen background depending on exterior lighting conditions. (Any why I agree it can be dimmed by the instrument panel or manual setting, the makes me believe it should do it for me)

 

 

Night: Touch this screen button and the systemwill make the screen background darken.

 

 

Day: Touch this screen button and the system will make the screen background brighten.

 

 

[AvalancheZ71]

My nav system behaves the exact same way as the one in the video. At night the background of the map is dark and during the day it is light. That's what I think the manual is referring to. When I first got my truck I also thought that I had the same problem because the screen would not dim, but now I think it is normal. I just turned down the instrument panel brightness to dim the screen a bit.

[jandersinc]

If you have the instrument panel brightness all the way up the nav will NOT dim even in auto mode. Turn the dash brightness down some and the nav will now dim when the headlights come on.